PANWTF commits more than $100,000 on improving wild turkey habitat in state

The Pennsylvania Chapter of the National Wild Turkey Federation has maintained a longstanding commitment to wild turkey habitat.

The PANWTF commitment continues with the recent approval of $100,000 in funding for wild turkey habitat.

Over the years, the PANWTF has spent more than $4 million on wild turkey projects across Pennsylvania.

The PANWTF Habitat Superfund Committee along with Pennsylvania Game Commission technical committee member, Mary Jo Casalena, and Chief of Game Lands Planning and Development Division, Ben Jones, approved funding for 63 of the 83 habitat project proposals.

A total of $100,375.72 was committed for wild turkey habitat improvement throughout Pennsylvania, plus $10,000 for the NWTF seed subsidy program for local chapter distribution to landowners with land open to hunting and able to let the crop stand throughout fall and winter months for wildlife.

Of these 63 approved projects, 40 were funded in cooperation with the Pennsylvania Game Commission for a total of $68,784.77. Many proposals were funded at a lower level than requested because there simply were not enough funds available to fully fund every proposal.

"Every member of the NWTF across the Keystone state can be proud of this accomplishment and how it translates into the conservation of the wild turkey and the preservation of our hunting heritage," said Jon Pries, Pa. Chapter NWTF board member, president Pa. Chapter NWTF. "To date, the funds raised and spent within Pennsylvania exceed $4 million dollars, with an additional excess of $110,000 dollars being spent this year for habitat improvement and seed subsidy, a great deal of which is through our ongoing partnership with the DCNR and the Pennsylvania Game Commission."

The committee has made several technological advances for project review, which made the review process more streamlined. The new electronic proposal form, created by the PGC, worked seamlessly this year as all PGC proposals were submitted electronically.

In light of the Game Commission's current budget shortfall, when dollars for planning and implementation of wildlife habitat work are so critical, it is through cooperators such as the PANWTF, that the Pennsylvania Game Commission is able to continue its mission.

"Again in 2008, the PANWTF have distributed over $100,000 to be put directly in the ground in Pennsylvania that will support 63 wild turkey habitat improvement projects on approximately 1,200 acres across the state," said Dale Butler, Pa. Chapter NWTF board member, executive officer and chairman of the Habitat Improvement Committee. "This includes projects on private land open for hunting, DCNR lands and PA Game Commission properties.

"A few examples of projects would be providing lime seed and fertilizer to create food and cover for turkeys, planting fruit bearing trees and shrubs for winter survival, maintaining openings, by mowing fields, cutting borders, and creating habitat for brood rearing."

Butler said all of the success points back to the grassroots efforts and dedication of 21,000-plus members of the PANWTF.

"This was made possible by the use of the NWTF banquet system. All the local chapters are to be commended for the efforts they have put forth to make this happen by hosting Hunting Heritage Banquets all across Pennsylvania," Butler said. "The PANWTF is totally committed to creating habitat for the betterment of the wild turkey. The board takes great pride knowing the wild turkey in Pennsylvania will be there for future generations to enjoy."

The PANWTF has built an impeccable resume when it comes to following the National Wild Turkey Federation vision statement of being dedicated to Conservation of the Wild Turkey and Preservation of the Hunting Tradition. Their efforts haven't gone unnoticed.

"It has been another banner year for the Pennsylvania State Chapter of the National Wild Turkey Federation,'' Pries said. "At the recent National Convention in Atlanta, Georgia, the Pennsylvania State Chapter was honored by receiving recognition as the leading state with the highest net/net dollars raised during the last fiscal year. Within the commonwealth, an excess of $479,000 dollars was brought in through our Hunting Heritage Superfund banquets, and that translates into money spent toward habitat improvement, safety and education and outreach programs throughout Pennsylvania."